PM Hails Former House Clerk as Invaluable Resource

Members of the House of Representatives, on Tuesday (April 23), paid tribute to former Clerk to the Houses of Parliament, Valrie Curtis.

Ms. Curtis, who retired on April 6, after 29 years of service, was hailed by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, as “an invaluable resource”.

He said she provided guidance and support as he navigated the rules and practices as a young parliamentarian.

“As all members will agree… that when you enter this House, you are lost; you are entering a world that is very complicated, with procedures and conventions that you can only learn by experience. It is indispensable that you have the staff of Parliament, particularly the Clerk and her assistant and deputy, who are able to guide and protect, and I found that in Valrie Curtis, our retired Clerk,” the Prime Minister said.

He commended Ms. Curtis’ dedication to maintaining order and efficiency in parliamentary processing, noting that she was always patient and respectful.

“I also recall on many occasions when I served as Leader of Government Business in this House, and again Valrie… was an indispensable and invaluable resource in ensuring that the order of the House, in terms of its business and procedures, was well maintained. She understood the environment in which we operated and made herself available to provide the support,” he said.

Hailing the former Clerk for her yeoman service, the Prime Minister wished her all the best on her retirement, noting that she has the respect, love, and admiration of the Parliament of Jamaica, which she served unreservedly.

He urged the Leader of Government Business to collaborate with the Leader of Opposition Business to ensure that a special event can be arranged to honour the former Clerk, who was absent, as soon as she is available.

Speaker of the House, the Most Hon. Juliet Holness, acknowledged Ms. Curtis’ long and dedicated service to the Parliament.

“She has commendably led her staff in providing the necessary procedural administrative support to the members of both Houses. During her time at Parliament, Ms. Curtis displayed a commitment to upholding Parliamentary ideals even as she displayed a people-centred approach to parliamentary administration while overseeing several initiatives,” she said.

Mrs. Holness said she continues to hold the retired Clerk in high regard.

“Our differences in perspective on a particular administrative matter and the resulting procedural communication to her, which was never placed on her Human Resource (HR) record, but which has unfortunately been circulated in the public domain, was never intended to distract from her years of service and valuable contribution to the Parliament,” she noted.

“The former Clerk has left an indelible mark on the Parliament, and it is our hope that she will enjoy her well-deserved retirement,” the Speaker added.

Member of Parliament, Everald Warmington, added his commendations to Ms. Curtis for her service to Jamaica and the House, noting that “it will be difficult for anyone coming after her to fill her shoes”.

Leader of Government Business, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, noted her outstanding dedication and yeoman service for almost three decades.

Leader of Opposition Business,  Phillip Paulwell, in acknowledging Ms. Curtis’ long and distinguished career in the public sector, said the Opposition would wish to pay tribute to the former Clerk during her presence.

Ms. Curtis became the Clerk to the Houses of Parliament in July 2021, having joined the Parliament in 1995. She was elevated to the post of Deputy Speaker in 2006.

She has been recognised for her contribution to the Parliament through the conferment of the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service as well as the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander Class in 2014 and 2020, respectively.

The new Clerk to the Houses of Parliament is Colleen Lowe.